Justice Maryanne Anenih of the Federal Capital Territory High Court has clarified that the travel passport of former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, is not in the court’s custody, but in that of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Justice Anenih made the declaration on Thursday during the resumed hearing of the money laundering case brought against the ex-governor by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). She explained that although the court had received a request for the release of the passport to enable Bello travel for medical reasons, it could not consider the application since the document is not in its possession.
“Even if the court were inclined to grant the request, it would have no effect because the travel passport is before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court,” Anenih ruled.
The defendant is currently facing related charges before both the FCT High Court and the Federal High Court, Abuja.
Earlier, Bello’s counsel, Joseph Daudu (SAN), had acknowledged that the passport was not in the FCT High Court’s custody, even though the court had previously ordered the former governor to deposit his travel documents with its registry.
Following her ruling, Justice Anenih adjourned further hearings in the case to October 8, 9 and November 13, 2025.
